Executive director, higher education

Job Summary

The Executive Director – Higher Education will provide strategic leadership and oversight for a diverse higher education portfolio, ensuring excellence across academic operations, research, innovation, student success, institutional collaboration, and organizational performance.

The position will lead cross-functional strategic initiatives, promote operational excellence, ensure effective governance and resource management, and foster a culture of academic excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities Develop and execute the strategic vision and direction for the higher education portfolio. Provide executive leadership and oversight of academic and administrative operations across higher education entities. Establish and maintain strong relationships with university leadership, government authorities, strategic partners, and other key stakeholders. Lead initiatives aimed at enhancing student experience, academic excellence, research impact, innovation, and institutional performance. Ensure compliance with applicable governance, accreditation, regulatory, and quality assurance requirements. Oversee budgets, financial performance, resource allocation, and organizational effectiveness across the portfolio. Drive organizational transformation, modernization, and continuous improvement initiatives. Establish performance frameworks and monitor the achievement of strategic and operational objectives. Promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing across higher education institutions and stakeholders. Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, innovation, research collaboration, and institutional development. Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing executive and leadership teams. Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. Represent the higher education portfolio at senior-level meetings, forums, and strategic engagements. Provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership on higher education matters, emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Education, Higher Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or a related discipline. Master's degree required; doctorate/Ph D highly preferred, particularly for candidates coming from an academic leadership background. Strong understanding of higher education governance, accreditation, quality assurance, academic operations, research, innovation, and institutional strategy. 15–20+ years of progressive leadership experience, ideally within higher education, education, government, public‑sector, or large complex institutional environments. At least 8–10 years in senior leadership / executive management positions with responsibility for strategy, operations, governance, and organizational performance. Experience managing or overseeing multiple institutions, campuses, academic entities, or a diversified higher education portfolio is highly desirable. Proven experience working with university presidents/rectors, provosts, senior government officials, boards, regulators, and other high-level stakeholders. Experience leading large-scale transformation, institutional development, organizational change, or strategic initiatives. #J-18808-Ljbffr